Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Monday, 16 July 2018 "Seek God Wholeheartedly" by Stefanie Hendrickson - Jeremiah 29:1-14.

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Monday, 16 July 2018 "Seek God  Wholeheartedly" by Stefanie Hendrickson - Jeremiah 29:1-14.
Jeremiah 29:1 Following is the text of the letter Yirmeyahu the prophet sent from Yerushalayim to the leaders remaining in exile, as well as to the cohanim, the prophets and all the people N’vukhadnetzar had carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel. 2 This was after Y’khanyah the king, the queen mother, the officers, the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, and the artisans and skilled workers had left Yerushalayim. 3 The letter was entrusted to El‘asah the son of Shafan and G’maryah the son of Hilkiyah; Tzidkiyah king of Y’hudah sent them to Bavel, to N’vukhadnetzar king of Bavel. The letter said:
4 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says to all those in exile, whom I have caused to be carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel: 5 ‘Build yourselves houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce. 6 Choose women to marry, and have sons and daughters. Choose wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage to men, so that they can have sons and daughters — increase your numbers there, don’t decrease. 7 Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.’ 8 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Don’t let your prophets who are living among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t pay attention to the dreams you urge them to dream. 9 For they are prophesying falsely in my name; I have not sent them,’ says Adonai.
10 “For here is what Adonai says: ‘After Bavel’s seventy years are over, I will remember you and fulfill my good promise to you by bringing you back to this place. 11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. 12 When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; 14 and I will let you find me,’ says Adonai. ‘Then I will reverse your exile. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you,’ says Adonai, ‘and bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’ (Complete Jewish Bible)

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Once all my cousins decided to play hide and seek. Gram and Pop's house wasn't very large; finding the perfect hiding spot took creativity and patience. The game finally ended when the seeker got tired of looking for me and I had to reveal my hiding place: the bathtub.
The Israelites have found themselves in the middle of the consequences of disobedience to God. Life was not easy or pleasant. I imagine folks were depressed, disillusioned, and dismayed wondering where God was in the midst of this tragedy.
Just like my wait in the bathtub, God told Jeremiah to let his people know they were to wait and get comfortable for the long-haul. “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce” (v. 5). Put down roots folks because God isn’t sweeping in and rescuing you right away.
While God wanted them to prosper where they were, He also wanted them to seek him. God didn’t want them to live half-heartedly: God wanted them to seek him with everything they were. Unlike my cousins, God declares that he will be found when his people seek him with their whole heart. Are you seeking or hiding from God?

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Hymn for Today: "All the Way Along" by Ada Blenkhorn.

1. There is One who loves me, One who is my friend.
All the way along, all the way along.
He is ever near me, ready to defend.
All the way along it is Jesus.
Refrain: All the way along it is Jesus;
All the way along, blessèd Jesus.
He’s my joy and song, all the way along.
All the way along it is Jesus.
2. He doth still the tempest, bid its tumult cease,
All the way along, all the way along.
In the time of trouble keeps in perfect peace;
All the way along it is Jesus.Refrain: All the way along it is Jesus;
All the way along, blessèd Jesus.
He’s my joy and song, all the way along.
All the way along it is Jesus.
3. In my Lord and Savior I will joyful be,
All the way along, all the way along.
Speaking words of comfort sweet and dear to me,
All the way along it is Jesus.Refrain: All the way along it is Jesus;
All the way along, blessèd Jesus.
He’s my joy and song, all the way along.
All the way along it is Jesus.
4. I will sing the praises of His wondrous love,
All the way along, all the way along.
I will sing more sweetly in my home above,
All the way along it is Jesus.Refrain: All the way along it is Jesus;
All the way along, blessèd Jesus.
He’s my joy and song, all the way along.
All the way along it is Jesus.

Thought for Today: “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew  7:7)! (Complete Jewish Bible)).

Please pray: That many people in Mozambique will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKadosh.

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